Day Care

Sierra Teams - Kids Programs

About Sierra Teams

Sierra Teams offer a tiered program for skiers and snowboarders looking to progress in their chosen field, including Alpine ski racing and freeride skiing/snowboarding. Sierra Teams provide expert coaching starting with the Rippers programs into the the Development Teams and Competition Teams. Past Sierra Teams' athletes include X Games medalists, US Ski Team members, and collegiate-level athletes.

Whether your child has a goal of skiing/snowboarding in college, getting on the podium in the X Games or further developing skills for a full life skiing and riding in the mountains, the Sierra-at-Tahoe family of coaches and athletes are here to support your goals.

The Rippers program is the first step into Sierra Teams, and is perfect for young skiers/snowboarders (ages 5-12 or 3-4 with Mini Rippers) who are mastering the fundamentals and are ready for consistent support.

The Development Teams program is designed for upper-intermediate/advanced skiers and snowboarders ages 7-17 who are honing their skills and have an interest in competing, but aren't necessarily ready for the Competition Teams program.

Our Competition Teams program is tailored to advanced Alpine Skiers and Freeride skiers/snowboarders ages 7-17 looking to compete in their discipline.

Sierra Teams Testimonials

Andy is a fantastic instructor. I could see that all the kids in his group really bonded with him. He made skiing a joy for them, while at the same time keeping the learning environment safe. It was also clear that Nicola is great with kids. It is instructors like Andy and Nicola in your Rippers program that are responsible for us deciding to come back to Sierra next season. Thanks again for the great season!

--Krishna Vinod, Rippers

I would like to especially give credit to Kevin for motivating Luca this year and working closely with the kids to improve their skills. Kevin has been extremely helpful not only on the slopes but also in teaching Luca how to tune and take care of her skis.

On the Development Team, Mike has been extremely helpful with getting Anouk to enjoy racing and improving her technique.

--Alex Seibulescu, Competition/Development Team

Ana Maria and Nicole loved their time with the coaches this season, especially taking lessons with Rich. Their skills have improved so much, I am sure that they will ask us to put them on the racing teams next year!

--Claudiu Stoenescu, Competition Team

Rippers

The Rippers program is the first step into Sierra Teams, and is perfect for young skiers/snowboarders (ages 5-12 or 3-4 with Mini Rippers) who are mastering the fundamentals and are ready for consistent support. With the same coach, Rippers will enjoy hours of dedicated coaching in a fun, team environment. We provide parents with an outline of training goals each week, as well as a slew of fun Rippers-only competitions and activities, like Ski With Maddie Bowman Day, to encourage love for the sport and exposure to aspects of upper level skiing/snowboarding including apline racing, park skiing/riding and moguls. We believe competition is an excellent means for progression and motivator for ski development.

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Development Team

The Development Teams program is designed for upper-intermediate/advanced skiers and snowboarders ages 7-17 who are honing their skills and have an interest in competing, but aren't necessarily ready for the Competition Teams program. Our specialized and certified Development Team coaches have many years of experience coaching Alpine racing and Freeride skiing/snowboarding. At this level, our coaches’ goal is to mentor athlete’s first steps into the competition world as they have the opportunity to compete in Sierra-hosted alpine races and park competitions.

Members of the Development Team can train with the Competitive Teams 20 days during the season and have the option to upgrade mid-season.

Alpine Racing Development Team:
Athletes will be introduced to skiing gates and develop excellent technique at the hands of expert coaches with 20+ years Alpine racing experience. The program feeds into our Alpine Race Team, as well as our Freeride programs. Many of the world's best park riders, including Maddie Bowman, honed world champion technique in Alpine racing before moving to the park. We recommend our park-hungry skiers to spend at least one season in the gates!

Freeride Ski Development Team:
Our Freeride Ski Team is for advanced skiers who are looking to move beyond the basics and gain experience in skiercross, slopestyle and half pipe skiing. Our coaches are currently competing athletes, bringing up-and-coming tricks and fresh coaching to Sierra. A large focus is put on teaching safety in the park as young athletes begin to build their list of tricks.

Snowboard Development Team:
For snowboarders who are looking to move beyond the basics and gain experience in bordercross, slopestyle and half pipe riding. Our expert coaches model the curriculum after world-class Sierra-at-Tahoe athletes, like Jaime Anderson, by exposing athletes to riding gates and all aspects of park competitions.

2014-15 Rates

Development Program

Age

Rate

Development Team - Ski or Snowboard

7 -17

$899

All program costs include a complimentary Sierra-at-Tahoe Unlimited season pass. My Sierra Rewards Plus membership is available for an additional fee.

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Competition Team

Sierra-at-Tahoe offers a ladder of programs with expert coaching along each progressive team. It all starts with the Rippers Program then onto the Development and Competition Teams. From there, Sierra has produced and coached all the way to the X Games, US Ski Team and collegiate level athletes.

Whether your child has a goal of skiing in college, getting on the podium in the X Games or simply developing skills for a full life skiing and riding in the mountains, the Sierra-at-Tahoe family of coaches and athletes are here to support your goals.

Freeride Ski:
The Freeride Team is for advanced skiers who have mastered the basics of the park and are looking for expert coaching to compete at their highest level. From USASA to the X Games, our comprehensive training program is consistently getting athletes on the podium.

Alpine Race Team:
The Alpine Race Team is for advanced skiers who are ready to enter into the competitive ski world in the Lake Tahoe Basin. Athletes will compete in The Tahoe League Race Series, travel to competitions, and develop expert skiing technique training in the gates and alongside coaches certified at the highest level. Our staff has decades of racing experience and coaching at the US Ski Team level.

Far West Ski Team:
Far West Skiing is for dedicated Alpine racers who are ready to enter into high level ski competitions. These athletes train alongside our Alpine Race Team, but Far West Ski Team athletes will endure a more rigorous training regime and travel schedule. The Far West program is $175 additional.

Snowboard Team:
Sierra-at-Tahoe combines great parks with expert snowboard instruction to offer world-class training to our Snowboard Team. Sierra-at-Tahoe champions, like Jaime Anderson, learned much of their skill from long-time Sierra Teams' coach, Brady Gunsch. Also coaching is Tommy Burke, who brings years of experience training our Snowboard Team athletes at the highest level.

2014-15 Rates

Competitive Programs

Age

Rate

Weekend Competitive Team

7-17

$1,649

The Weekend Competitive Team trains on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays for a total of 300 hours. The Competitive Teams are designed for upper intermediate and advanced skiers and snowboarders ages 7-17 who are interested in training and competing against their peers.

All program costs include a complimentary Sierra-at-Tahoe unlimited season pass. My Sierra Rewards Plus membership is available for an additional fee.

Full Competitive Team

7-17

$1,949

The Full Competition Team trains five days a week for a total of 400 hours. Includes holiday periods plus 2-3 midweek days. The Competitive Teams are designed for upper intermediate and advanced skiers and snowboarders ages 7-17 who are interested in training and competing against their peers.

All program costs include a complimentary Sierra-at-Tahoe unlimited season pass. My Sierra Rewards Plus membership is available for an additional fee.

Good To Know

Participation in competitions is not mandatory

All teams are coached by PSIA certified instructors (or international equivalent) who are trained to coach competitive skiers and riders

Each program is approximately 18 weeks long

A 10% discount will be give to each participant within the same family after the first participant is registered. Must be purchased through the Season Pass Office; please call 530.659.7453 x208.

Tuition does not include membership in Far West/USSA/USASA, race fees, travel costs or lift tickets at other resorts